Equalizing device



GEORGE H. TOWNSEND, 0F MADISON, WISCONSIN.

EQUALIZIN G DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

Application filed January5, 1917. Serial No. 140,658.

To all wkomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. TOWNSEND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Madison, in the county of Dane and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Equalizing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to equalizing devices applicable to ladders and movable platform supports requiring adjustment to uneven surfaces. The object of my invention is to provide means to practically shorten or lengthen the legs or support of the appliances to meet any unevenness or incline of the surface where such appliances are used. I attain these results by a construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a rear elevatlon as applied to a ladder.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental elevation of Fig. 1 showing the compound swivel, mounted with legs attached.

Fig. 4 is a plan of link, mounted, carrying compound swivel clips and legs mounted.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a swivel link designed as a leg holder.

Fig. 6 is a plan of swivel link leg holder shown in Fig. 5. j

The same numbers refer to similar parts in the several views and descriptions in the singular apply to a plurality of similar parts.

My invention consists of a rectangular link 7 adapted-to slide back and forth and also to oscillate when mounted on transverse pivot rod 8 and also adapted for mounting compound clips 9 on pivot 10 and arranged to oscillate so that the clips 9 do not change their angle in relation to the sides of the ladder 11 with the oscillation of link 7 on pivot rod 8. The compound swivel clips 9 are constructed to engage legs 12 mounted on and held in position by pivots 13 so as to permit legs 12 to change their angle as link 7 with compound clips 9 slides back and forth on pivot rod 8 thereby raising or lowering legs 12 to adjust them to uneven surfaces.

To the under or back edge near the base of ladder sides 11 a transverse bar 14 is attached for the mounting of swivel link leg holder 15 oscillating on pivot 16 as the angle of leg 12 is varied by sliding back and forth of link 7 on pivot rod 8. In operating, lifting the ladder allows the adjustable legs 12 to drop enough to loosen the, swivel link leg holders 15 from legs 12 which may be placed where desired and the ladder shifted to proper angle, automatically adjusting it to even or uneven surfaces and locking the device by the weight of the ladder by sliding link leg holders 15 on legs 12.

What I claim as my invention for which I desire Letters Patent is 1. In an equalizing device for ladders, adj ustable brace legs pivotally attached to swivel clips on either. side of a band link mounted on a pivot rod and adapted to oscillate and slide back and forth between the sides of the ladder to which the device is attached substantially as set forth.

2. In an equalizer for ladders, swivel leg holders mounted on a cross bar attached to a ladder, through which adjustable legs loosely pass, the ends of which are pivotally attached to swivel clips on either side of a band link mounted on a pivot rod and adapted to oscillate and slide back and forth between the sides of the ladder to which the device is attached, substantially as set forth.

3. In an equalizer adapte to ladders, swivel leg holders, through which adjustable legs loosely pass, the ends of which are pivotally attached to swivel clips on either side of a band link,pivotally mounted on a rod and adapted to oscillate and slide back and forth between the sides of the ladder to which the device is attached, to release the adjustable legs in the swivel leg holders when the ladder is lifted and clamp them when the ladderis set for use.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE H. TOWNSEND.

Witnesses:

N. FARLEY, JOHN J. REINDL.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

